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Honkin' Down the Highway

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Wikipedia article




'"Honkin' Down the Highway"' is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1977 album 'The Beach Boys Love You'. It was written by Brian Wilson and sung by Al Jardine. The lyrics describe a man driving to a woman, at her father's behest, for an engagement that the narrator states will conclude with himself "Takin' one little inch at a time, now / 'Til we're feelin' fine, now".

Background and recording



Asked if the song was influenced by country music, Wilson responded, "It was to a certain degree - but just to a certain degree though. I remember when I wrote that I was thinkin' 'truckin' down the highway' - just some kind of a country western kind of an idea. The actual song itself wasn't that country though."

The song was originally going to be sung by touring musician Billy Hinsche. Hinsche later said that Eugene Landy had convinced Wilson to discard the lead vocal that Hinsche had recorded.

Engineer Earle Mankey recalled that Wizzard frontman Roy Wood contributed to the recording.

Single mix



A slightly edited version was released on a single, in which the drum intro is cut off. The single version appeared on the 1991 cassette and CD reissue of 'The Beach Boys Love You' on the Caribou label. 'Cash Box' said that "the vocals and darkly colored instruments are blended into one thick soup, but the warm summer feelings come through."

Cover versions



* In the mid-1980s, Alex Chilton played "Honkin' Down the Highway" in concert with revised lyrics.

* A remake of this song was included on Jardine's 2010 album 'A Postcard from California', with Wilson making a guest appearance.

References



'Bibliography'

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Category:1977 singles

Category:The Beach Boys songs

Category:Songs written by Brian Wilson

Category:Song recordings produced by Brian Wilson

Category:1977 songs

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